Tougher DOJ Scrutiny For Microsoft

The Justice Department is considering taking a tougher approach with Microsoft on antitrust grounds, accirding to a report Monday in The Wall Street Journal..

The Journal says the Justice Department is looking at whether it can charge the software industry leader with violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. If the new case were to go forward, it reportedly would allege "illegal maintenance and extension" of Microsoft's control of operating-system software.

The report says investigators have issued new civil subpoenas to major computer firms such as Compaq.

The prosecutors reportedly are trying to start the case before Microsoft releases Windows 98 in the coming months.

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